Chris Hemsworth (left) and Danny McBride appeared in a Super Bowl commercial for Tourism Australia, and will be featured in the country's largest marketing campaign for the U.S. Pictured is a teaser for the fake Dundee film that was rumored to be in the works in recent weeks. Tourism Australia

Skift Take: A genius marketing move or a waste of money that's more flashy than effective? That's the debate that many destination marketers are likely having as they wonder if Tourism Australia's ad will be a huge win or a major interception.

]]>269693Chris Hemsworth (left) and Danny McBride appeared in a Super Bowl commercial for Tourism Australia, and will be featured in the country's largest marketing campaign for the U.S. Pictured is a teaser for the fake Dundee film that was rumored to be in the works in recent weeks. / Tourism AustraliaTourism Australia May Bring Back Crocodile Dundee, This Time With a Super Bowl Adhttps://skift.com/2018/01/24/tourism-australia-may-bring-back-crocodile-dundee-this-time-with-a-super-bowl-ad/
Thu, 25 Jan 2018 04:22:43 +0000https://skift.com/?p=268737

This is a screenshot teasing a supposed movie, 'Dundee: The Son of a Legend Returns Home (2018).' It also might be part of a Tourism Australia marketing blitz. Dundee Movie

Skift Take: Crocodile Dundee is a nostalgic figure in the U.S., and it appears as though Tourism Australia could be hoping to score with an ad on Super Bowl Sunday. A campaign could get younger and older generations interested in Australia. But would a pricy spot during the Super Bowl be worth it?

]]>268737This is a screenshot teasing a supposed movie, 'Dundee: The Son of a Legend Returns Home (2018).' It also might be part of a Tourism Australia marketing blitz. / Dundee MovieAustralia Tourism Poised to Capitalize on the Commonwealth Gameshttps://skift.com/2018/01/07/australia-tourism-poised-to-capitalize-on-the-commonwealth-games/
Sun, 07 Jan 2018 17:00:12 +0000https://skift.com/?p=265583

Carrara Stadium in Carrara, Australia will be a key venue in the Commonwealth Games in April 2018. Gold Coast Tourism

Skift Take: Tourism on Australia’s Gold Coast is booming ahead of the April Commonwealth Games. The challenge for operators, buoyed by strong demand, is to deliver memorable experiences to justify the high rates — and stimulate demand after the athletes go home.

]]>262345Indonesian authorities said the airport in the resort island of Bali will reopen on Wednesday after a volcanic eruption had shut the facility for the past two days. / BloombergAustralian Tourists in Bali Stranded by Volcanic Smoke Seek Helphttps://skift.com/2017/11/30/australian-tourists-in-bali-stranded-by-volcanic-smoke-seek-help/
Thu, 30 Nov 2017 14:00:29 +0000https://skift.com/?p=260464

Skift Take: As volcano Mount Agung continues to spew ash into the atmosphere and winds change direction regularly, the situation remains a fluid one for stranded travelers. But the long-term impact on Balinese tourism will probably be small.

The sun rises over Uluru, Australia. Climbing the dramatic rock formation will be banned in two years after declining visitors to the Australian scenic landmark increasingly recognize its sacredness. Rob Griffith / Associated Press

Skift Take: For years, tourists failed to grasp the spiritual significance of Uluru to the Anangu people, but with fewer visitors now wanting to climb the rock formation it seems logical to stop it all together.

Influencers have little influence in Asia-Pacific travelers' trip-planning decisions. Foreign tourists wearing traditional Japanese kimonos rest on a bench in front of a Japanese confectionary store near Sensoji Temple in Tokyo. Shizuo Kambayashi / Associated Press

Skift Take: There is a ton of variation in the behavior of travelers from different countries across the Asia-Pacific region. Travel companies should pay more attention to the specific needs of the travelers they're trying to reach.

Singapore's cruise ships are luring visitors from India, stealing business from the city-state's casinos. Bloomberg

Skift Take: Indians are flocking to Singapore because the city-state is a hub port near many attractive Southeast Asian cruise destinations in Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. Cruise lines are adding ships and routes, which could fuel the trend.

American actress Bryce Dallas Howard takes a kayak trip down the Dart River in the Mt. Aspiring National Park, in New Zealand. Howard is on a campaign to promote the South Pacific nation as a tourist destination to Americans and Canadians. Tourism New Zealand / Associated Press Photo

Skift Take: Just who makes the cut as a tourism ambassador for different destinations is a baffling science, but if Howard can relate with travelers by sharing her own lifelong experiences of visiting New Zealand, it'll be a big plus for the destination.

]]>240288American actress Bryce Dallas Howard takes a kayak trip down the Dart River in the Mt. Aspiring National Park, in New Zealand. Howard is on a campaign to promote the South Pacific nation as a tourist destination to Americans and Canadians. Tourism New Zealand / Associated Press Photo